Eurovision Recap / Yom HaZikaron & Yom Ha'Atzmaut (All in one place!)

 

First let's talk about Eurovision:

Below is Miki Guberman singing the original submission to Eurovision before the song was called Hurricane.  It was originally titled October Rain due to the attacks on October 7th, 2023. The EBU (European Broadcasting Union) had Israel scrambling to change the song. The song went through a few re-writes. Read more here!

Here are the lyrics comparison / changes:

October Rain / Hurricane - Miki Guberman (Eden Golan Cover)

It was so much fun to learn more about Eurovision. We never voted before this year. Note that countries are not allowed to vote for their own country! (Yes we are allowed to vote even if we are in the USA! - See more below...)

Congrats to Eden Golan for powering through showing awesome sportsmanship and pride for Israel, especially when the crowd booed. It really gave her the fuel to power through the song.

** FYI if you missed my presentation and or want to view the bonus materials contact me.

Here is a video of the Semi Finals:

Video of the Eurovision Semi Finals

Originally, I could not find a video of the Eurovision Finals. The version i did find was taken down off of Youtube. Here is a video of the final (Listen to how terrible the crowd was) "Eden is a real hero":

Live from the Eurovision Finals

It was fun participating in various ways. One of my favorite ways to participate was by actually voting! Unfortunately, you do have to pay to vote, but it was well worth the price to help boost Eden and Israel along, and I really think it helped!

Here is a very special breakdown of Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest from 1973 - 2024 (Very Interesting!)

Eurovision Breakdown from 1973 - 2024 

Here is a breakdown of the entire competition. You can definitely search through and find some good statistical information.

Here is additional reading on the 2024 competition.  Also included is information about the Netherlands participation in the 2024 Finals of the competition.

It did take me over 5 months to put the presentation together. If you are interested in watching the presentation I gave all about Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest / with a lot of extra materials. It's the presentation and also the Slides / Bonus materials, please visit my website (about page / contact form) and send me a note. I'm happy to share it with you (FREE)

Od to Little Big Planet, Video Games, Prayers, Israeli Music and Claw Machines !

Do you know who this guy is?  

Let me introduce you to Sackboy from the video game Little Big Planet.  This used to be Sony's prized possession.  Not anymore! Read more here and watch the videos below.

Is Little big planet officially dead?

Here is a video how Sony Destroyed their own legacy:

Here is another user's thought about Little Big Planet:

Here is my friend Rick Recht singing all about rainbows. Sackboy would have loved to sing along. I'm sure Rick might have played this game.

Here are some Jewish Artists in prayer:

While we are talking about video games, I think showing this next music video is very appropriate. Here is Ella Li singing This is ME.  She must love video games. (Great K-Pop Song!) Read more here.

Every time I see a crane / claw / suction cup machine, I keep remembering how i actually won a David Broza CD from a suction cup type crane machine.  (The only time I ever won something from one of these!) Below is a picture of what I won!

Here is David Broza singing Things Will Get Better:

Songs for the week and Meet אלי משה Eli Moshe. !

Songs for the week and Meet  אלי משה Eli Moshe.  !

I would like to introduce you to an interesting performer. אלי משה Eli Moshe. 

Click the Live Pic to listen to a past episode.

I met him on Facebook. He sings weekly "LIVE". He doesn't sing for 5 minutes. He sings for  2- 3 hours. I don't know anyone that can do that. Eli is so amazing.  This guy has created songs for Israeli celebrities and is so incredible. In my eyes he is the King of Israeli Music.  You can purchase his album on Apple Music. 

Our long-distance friendship is interesting. Each week I can't wait until he jumps online and starts performing. I never leave my seat and I have a front row ticket. 

One of the reasons I feel close to Eli is that he has the same values I have and it is "Always doing nice things and making people feel awesome!" My dad always told me to be helpful and do my best to make the world a better place.

Stay tuned to my blog for a go fund me to invite Eli to come to Arizona and if possible other states to sing for all of us. He is a big blessing, and he should be shared with the world!

Learn more about Eli here

Eli used to end his show singing this beautiful song. The translation is "I loved Everyone." Very True! It's great to have a cool friend like Eli Moshe that uplifts your spirits and heals the world with his beautiful singing one song at a time..

Song Translation done by Moshe Kaye

Am Yisrael Chai ! (+ More)

Am Yisrael Chai ! (+ More)

From Israeli Radio to YouTube, I have been hearing this song.  I have probably heard this song over 10 - 20 times the last four days. It is following me everywhere.

I find it so fascinating that the singers and entertainers in Israel have come together to help with the morale of the public.  This is one this that is such an awesome amazing thing that they are doing. 

This clip is from a contestant on Hakochav Haba La' Erovizion (A Star is Born)

Here is the original with the subtitles in English. 

Here are a few more songs you might enjoy:

Rotem Cohen - Whoever Hates You Will Die
(Listen in the middle of the song for something familiar that might sound like a Disney song)

Unicorn:

Noa Kirel's represented Israel in 2023 with this song. Here are 2 versions the original and the remastered version after October 7th:

Official Eurovision Video:

Remastered Unicorn song after October 7, 2023:

Israeli music star Noa Kirel was enlisted to reserve duty and recorded a theme song for Israel's special forces along with the IDF Choir:

The song "Out of Depression" was performed in a unique production by the Northern Command Band and singer Yagel Oshri:

The song expresses optimism and hope for better days. The choice to make the video emphasizes the power of culture and music to lift spirits, and their great impact on the morale and unity of our soldiers.

The lyrics in the last chorus emphasize the strength and support of the people of Israel in the security bodies, IDF commanders and soldiers:

"The north winds are blowing all the way to you

In your heart there will always be one melody. 

Hear the voice that will enlighten you

The entire nation of Israel stands with you."

Together Always:  

(Static & Agam (Lake) Bohbot - Together Always - The Official Video of the IDF (Iron Swords)
This song has been repurposed. It started out in 2020 as Katan Aleinu and has morphed into something necessary after October 7, 2023.

Note: Stay Tuned for something I'm going to present about Eurovision.  It is taking me a bit of extra time because making time has been the problem.  Also, please be sure to visit jasonhecht.com for some interesting things.  Also available on my website are a lot of the presentations given over the past years. The Israel Fun page has also been updated.

Also, if you like what you see on the blog please comment below.

🎷🅰💲⭕🎵

חג הודיה שמח Happy Thanksgiving! Great Videos and more!

חג הודיה שמח

What does that Mean ?  What does that Say?

Here is a perfect answer:  "HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!"

Here is Sagiv Cohen Singing about Thanksgiving:

Here is another version of the song by Sagiv Cohen:

One thing I miss is Israeli Dancing in a big group the night before Thanksgiving.  I did find a dance that you can all learn for Thanksgiving. After you eat your Turkey and all of the fixing get up and dance!

One more Important Dance (Dedicated to the hostages) May they come home safe!

Here is Debbie Friedman's Thanksgiving Song ! (Everyone's Favorite!)

Never forget (and a few Israel videos)

Happy Clocktower anniversary day, November 12, 2023:

Don’t know what happened ? Keep reading and watch the video.

On this date in "Back to the Future" history, Nov. 12, 1955, lightning struck the clock tower in Hill Valley, Calif. providing enough power (1.21 gigawatts, in case you forgot) to send Marty McFly and the DeLorean back to the future to 1985.

Read more here!

In 2023 we memorialize the clock tower like this:

I found a way to travel through time. Where can I go? I know I won’t go anywhere near 2020 like my shirt says! 

A prayer before setting off on a journey / now a prayer for Israeli soldiers:

Here is a beautiful song by Shlomi Shabat:

Here is a new song by Eden Hason and Sarit Haddad:

Things we can possibly due to help save the victims that were kidnapped and are now hostages:

One minute a day

Blue Ribbon for Israel 🇮🇱 

Here is a song I hope to bring you comfort! Hopefully this song will be used in the future to celebrate good things coming in the horizon! If you can recognize the song, please post it in the comments:

Don’t forget to sign up for December 3. I am presenting music for Hanukkah and hopefully bwill have a miracle.

Click here to sign up!

Shma Elohai (A Few Prayers) and more. (Israel Needs your Prayers!)

This is a song by Sarit Haddad, but this version it isn't her singing it. This song is such a powerful song. "Shma (Hear) Israel my God," This is a very appropriate song right now because of everything going on in Israel. There is also a dance to this song by one of my favorite choreographers Shmulik Gov-Ari.

Here is Cantor Azi Schwartz singing Shema Yisrael. When the Heart Cries:

Here is Sarit Haddad singing it (Enjoy the Subtitles):

Here is one more Video of Sarit Haddad singing the same song (3 Times is better than 1). Pay attention to the audience how they are singing with her and how emotional she got during the performance. 

Here is the lyrics translation

Here is another song (One Nation) also represents Shma Israel:

Other Videos I found this week to share:

Tamir Grinberg ✖️ Shiri Maimon - COMING HOME (For the Israelis kidnapped by Hamas). It is nice once in a while to hear Shiri Singing in English. Such a very emotional video. We need songs like this to help Israel and the world feel better:

One of my favorite songs usually sung by Shlomi Shabbat. Here are the lyrics translated.

Here is another one Featuring Shlomi Shabbat and Ze Hu Ze. This is a MUST SEE !!!: From Facebook 

Speaking about Shlomi Shabbat he came out with a new song this week. Its a bit tough but it's a nice song. (From within your suffering you shall live). Special Thanks to Moshe Kaye for translating the song.

A Prayer for the Soldiers Fighting over in Israel:

A Link with more

Here is a prayer for the Israeli Soldiers. A few of my friends are serving in the Israeli Army. I pray every day for them. Video by Shai Abramson.

The composer, arranger and conductor Arie Lebanon passed away this week at the age of 91. Lebanon, the creators of the Hebrew singer, composed and processed "Erev Ba" - which won the first prize at the First Singer Festival, held in 1960. Lebanon is also responsible, among other things, for "The Three Answers Singer", "Lifa HaGalon" and for more than 1,500 versions for theater, cinema and concert hall.

Here is an article about him

Here is Shoshana Damari Singing Erev Ba our tribute to Arie Lebanon  This is one of the always played Israeli Dance songs. It can be done as a circle dance for beginners or a partner dance. Same version either way !

What I've been hearing on the Israeli Radio is a lot of slow and sad songs and that is what Israel needs right now. Hopefully soon there will be a miracle that will lift our spirits. (Lets hope before Hanukkah!)

This is an event that happened in Times Square. (AM Yisrael Chai!) A little upbeat and we need it now! For those of you that don't know what Am Yisrael Chai Means Click here!

Here is to a healthy and safe shabbat. (With a little bit of Humor!) We all need that now. 

Please share this Blog with your Friends !!!!